Štěpán Zavřel
Biography
Arriving in Sarmede in 1968, Štěpán Zavřel sparked a vibrant artistic hub, drawing creators from across Central Europe and beyond. He transformed this small town nestled in the Treviso hills, home to just three thousand people, into the enchanting “village of the fairy tale.”
Born in Prague in 1932, Štěpán Zavřel’s life and artistic journey, marked by hope, hardship, and renewal, culminated in Sarmede, where he passed away in 1999. The Foundation and the Exhibition stand as enduring tributes to his legacy in this special place.
Zavřel’s creative path began in Prague at the Faculty of Cinematic Arts, where he specialized in animation. In 1959, he made a dramatic escape from his country, eventually finding refuge in Trieste, Italy. He further honed his artistic skills at the Faculty of Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. His pursuit of artistic growth then led him to Germany for studies in stage design and theatrical costume at the Kunstakademie in Munich, followed by a period in London. From 1965 to 1968, he directed the animated film department at the Richard Williams Studio.
Zavřel in Sarmede
In 1968, Štěpán Zavřel made Rugolo, a part of Sarmede, his permanent residence. He purchased an abandoned farmhouse there, which he transformed into his home (now a private residence adorned with frescoes by the artist and his students). This marked the beginning of Sarmede’s evolution into a vibrant hub for artists from Central Europe and beyond, all drawn by his presence.
Over the years, Zavřel’s art reached international audiences through exhibitions in galleries and museums across Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, the United States, Central America, and Spain. A significant milestone was the 1982 exhibition of his “Venice Tomorrow” series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In 1983, Zavřel’s vision led to the creation of the International Children’s Illustration Exhibition, now known as Le Immagini della Fantasia. This was followed in 1988 by the establishment of the International School of Illustration. Štěpán Zavřel transformed this small town of three thousand inhabitants in the Treviso hills into a veritable “village of the fairy tale.” This enchanting atmosphere is palpable through the nearly seventy frescoes, a collaborative effort between Zavřel and numerous internationally acclaimed artists who visited Sarmede, adorning both public and private buildings throughout the area. Today, the Štěpán Zavřel Museum proudly houses around sixty of his captivating works.
The illustrator who truly dedicates themselves to this profession finds themselves outside of the great interests, both political and economic.Štěpán Zavřel
In themselves, they carry a part of the child [...] One thing is fundamental, in my opinion, for the designer: to be a person full of life.
Zavřel archive
The archive contains a selection of works by the artist Štěpán Zavřel, accompanied by an informative sheet.